The district proudly commemorated the athletic and academic achievements of several students at the board of education meeting on Jan. 28.
Sewanhaka High School senior Japheth Omezi, a member of the Superintendent’s Advisory Committee, assisted with the Superintendent’s Update at the start of the meeting. Student Ambassadors have been an integral part of the board of education meetings this school year, sharing successes and events throughout the district.
Superintendent Regina Agrusa’s celebration of student accomplishments began with two athletic recognitions. Elmont Memorial High School senior Ariana Patterson, an All-Conference volleyball player and member of the track team, was honored for receiving a News 12 Scholar Athlete Award. This award, sponsored by the Bethpage Federal Credit Union, recognizes outstanding student-athletes on Long Island. As a Scholar Athlete, Ariana received a $1,000 college scholarship from BFCU. New Hyde Park Memorial High School senior Sahir Bhatia was recognized for being selected to play for the U.S. National Under-19 Cricket Team. Sahir, a bowler, is one of two players chosen from New York State. He began playing cricket at the Queens United Cricket Academy in 2015.
The commendations continued with Sewanhaka High School ninth graders Summer Sanders and Milan Wright, who are New York State’s 2025 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Fine Arts and Essay Exhibition honorees. The exhibition, sponsored by the New York State Education Department, is an opportunity for students statewide to express how Dr. King’s legacy inspires them. This year’s theme was “Mission Possible: Protecting Freedom, Justice, and Democracy in the Spirit of Nonviolence.” Milan’s watercolor painting and Summer’s colored-pencil artwork were selected for the exhibition.
The impressive science accomplishments of Elmont Memorial High School senior Aafia Ahmed and H. Frank Carey High School senior Natalie Osorio were highlighted, as both students have been named as 2025 Regeneron Science Talent Search Scholars. Aafia and Natalie were among 300 scholars nationwide and 49 on Long Island selected for this honor.
